Aside

Contact

Language Skills

R - Proficient
Python - Novice
Bash - Novice
Spanish - Novice

Lab Skills

Microbiology: sterile technique, simple stains, metabolic tests, identification of bacterial genus by rRNA sequencing, ELISA, Ames test, culture maintenance

Molecular Biology: DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, in situ RNA hybridization

Transferable Skills

Scientific writing

Literature review

Data analysis

Experimental design

Sample and data quality management

Leadership and teaching

Disclaimer

Made w/ pagedown.

Source code: github.com/nstrayer/cv.

Last updated on 2020-04-08.

Main

Isabel Erickson

I have experience with data analysis, experimental design, data quality management, and literature reviews that can be applied to clinical projects. I have had the opportunity to do chairside observation of clinical specimen collection and have managed and tracked through data generation ten derivative samples per patient. I am searching for a research assistant position on a clinical project in order to further my goal of attending graduate school for clinical psychology.

Education

B.A. Biology (Philosophy Minor) - High Honors

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA

2018 - 2014

  • Thesis: Unusual Composition and Predicted Function of the Gut Microbiomes of Avian Nectarivores as Revealed by 16S rDNA Analysis

Valedictorian

Mount Desert Island High School

Bar Harbor, ME

2014

Research Positions

Postbaccalaureate, National Human Genome Research Institute

Segre Laboratory

National Institutes of Health

2019 - 2018

  • Improved reference-based classification of microbial DNA from human samples by determining that a significant percentage of metagenomic reads derived from skin isolates were environmental contaminants from diverse sources.
  • Performed culturomics, generating 2000+ bacterial isolates from the skin of healthy volunteers. Extracted DNA from 500 colonies for whole genome sequencing. Catalogued and organized all samples.
  • Wrote a bash script to build a lab-specific Kraken2 reference database. Wrote a tutorial in Rmarkdown to integrate database into lab metagenomics pipeline.

Honors Thesis Researcher, Microbiology lab

Vollmer Laboratory

Swarthmore College

2017

  • Using illumina sequencing of DNA extracted and amplified from hummingbird fecal samples, determined that the hummingbird gut microbiome is dominated by Actinobacteria
  • Recieved and tracked ~300 biological samples from a collaborator in the field and developed a system to ensure that all material derived from these samples (extracted DNA, amplicons, sequencing data) could be matched to data collected in the field.
  • Performed a literature review to guide experimental design and protocol development.

Undergraduate Researcher, Developmental Biology lab

Davidson lab

Swarthmore College

2015

  • Determined that left-right asymmetry development in Ciona intestinalis depends on the presence of the embryonic chorion but not on asymmetric expression of pitx, furthering the lab’s goals of elucidating cardiac development.
  • Established lab protocol for in situ hybridization using an antisense RNA probe.
  • Using a confocal microscope, developed protocol for live imaging of cardiac precursor cell migration.

Teaching

Microbial Ecology TA

Microbial biology lab

Swarthmore College

2016

  • Worked with a professor as part of a group of four to plan and prepare reagents, plates, and cultures for lab.
  • Demonstrated techniques of microbial biology to a class of twelve students and guided students through laboratory exercises.

Tutor

Dare to Soar

Chester, PA

2016

  • Assisted groups of 10-20 elementary and middle school students with reading and math homework for 2 hours per week as part of a team of 2-3 tutors.
  • Engaged with students of varied backgrounds and interests to encourage appreciation for academics.

Tutor

Science for Kids

Swarthmore, PA

2015

  • Taught group of 15 middle-school children scientific concepts including projectile motion and basic coding.

Tutor

Science for Kids

Swarthmore, PA

2015

  • Taught group of 5 high-school age children biological concepts around DNA duplication, expression, and regulation.
  • Oversaw student-run experiments to improve understanding of embryo development, enzyme regulation, and cell growth.
  • Provided students with guidance in scientific writing in preparation for a poster presentation at a community science fair.

Presentations

American Society for Microbiology

Poster presentation: Changes in hummingbird gut microbiomes in relation to migratory fattening cycles

Atlanta, GA

June 2018

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

Poster presentation: Gut Microbiota of Sympatric Migratory and Resident Hummingbirds

Tampa, FL

January 2019

NIH Translational & Functional Genomics Branch Meeting

Oral presentation: You find what you look for: Improving reference-based methods of classifying metagenomic sequences

Bethesda, MD

April 2019

Other Work

Line Cook

Bar Harbor Lobster Company

Bar Harbor, ME

2019

  • Coordinated timing of meal production between three teams to ensure prompt and high quality food for guests.
  • Monitored and maintained stocks of food prepared for service.
  • Ensured food safety through proper labelling, storage, and organization of ingredients.

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

Jasper’s Place

Peterswell, Ireland

2019

  • Took care and ensured safety of animals, including sheep, ducks, turkeys, chickens, cats, and dog
  • Weeded, watered, and harvested various vegetables and herbs. Ensured proper storage and preservation of produce.

Line Cook and Baking Assistant

Sweet Pea’s Cafe

Bar Harbor, ME

2016

  • Worked as part of a team of seven to prepare ingredients for use on the line during service and with a team of four during service to cook meals.
  • Maintained sourdough culture through daily feeding and temperature regulation for use in baking sourdough, brioche, pizza dough, baguettes, and focaccia.
  • Helped maintain inventory by identifying ingredients for purchase and prep.

Honors and Awards

Robert Reynolds and Lucinda Lewis ’70 Summer Research Fellow

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Deborah A. DeMott ’70 Student Research Internship

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Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll

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Women’s Varsity Cross Country and Track Captain

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Sigma Xi, Swarthmore Chapter, Associate member

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Leo M. Leva Memorial Prize in Biology

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NIH Intramural Research Training Award

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